but also a sense among (mostly) amateur writers that they can do just as well, if not better, than the canon writers

I know this feeling intimately. I can't count the number of times I thought, "I could handle this plot twist/character arc better than the writers!" and proceeded to try to prove it.

A show that's too good can be intimidating to try to add anything to.

True!

I am always up for new friends! Added you. :D